Louis Saha has tipped his team‑mate Ross Barkley for a big future with Everton and England and has backed him to make an impact in the Premier League this season.

The 17-year-old, who has been with Everton since the age of 11, has impressed in pre-season and is likely to get his chance in the first team.

"I think he's got all the ability to be a great player for Everton and for England. Hopefully he will show that this season," Saha said. "It's not too early for him because he's got all the attributes to surprise a few people. He's got power, strength, confidence, speed – he's said a few times to me that I'm slower than him. Hopefully he will show that to the Premier League this season.

"I'm enjoying training with him and hopefully I will enjoy playing with him because I think he's got so many talents and he will definitely be a big star if he keeps working hard."

Barkley, a tough-tackling midfielder with an eye for goal, looked set to break into the first team last season but suffered a broken leg on England Under-19 duty. But the defender Sylvain Distin hopes Barkley will not face too much pressure.

Distin said: "He seems to be an amazing player but the problem is after one or two games people put too much expectation on the young players. I want to give him time. But definitely he's got quality."

As well as Barkley, the 21-year-old striker Magaye Gueye and the 18-year-old Conor McAleny have also impressed in pre-season, and Distin believes their rise can provide some much-needed depth to the squad.

"It's a good thing, especially because we seem to have quite a few injuries through a season so you need those kind of players to be there and push the old players like me to train harder and be even better," he said.

The club confirmed on Wednesday that Seamus Coleman tore a ligament in his right ankle in the friendly defeat by Villarreal last Friday.